Special Edition

on Gaza

FIMA Relief E-Bulletin Federation of Islamic Medical Associations

Volume 1 No 1 Muharram 1431 January 2010

EDITORIAL BOARD (e-Bulletin Special Edition) A Word From The Editor December 27, 2009 to January 18, The first convoy made the Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin (IMAM): 2010 marks the first anniversary of the journey in March 2009. They travelled by [email protected] unspeakable brutality committed by the land to Italy, crossed the Mediterranean Dr Aly Misha’l (Islamic Hospital Zionist regime of against the people by ferry to , drove through , ): of Gaza. For over 22 days, Israel dropped , Jordan and finally entered Gaza at the [email protected] bombs, white phosphorous, used airplanes, border crossing in . The current helicopters, navy ships, tanks, bulldozers and convoy, dubbed “Return to Gaza,” is tracing Dr Ashraf Jedaar (IMASA): [email protected] heavily armed soldiers against a defenseless this land route. The second convoy from the people. United States departed on July 4, 2009, flew into Cairo and also entered Gaza via the EXCO 2009-2011 1,400 dead, 5,000 injured, 20,000 homeless, . President 50,000 displaced and $1.6 billion damages Dr Pervaiz Malik, (IMANA): was inflicted on the Gaza economy. Schools, Apart from delivering humanitarian aid [email protected] hospitals, universities, ministries, homes, and highlighting the blockade’s damaging shops were razed to the ground – nothing effect, the convoy is aimed to direct the Immediate Past President was spared not even the UN facilities. The world’s attention to Israeli war criminals who Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin (IMAM): people of Gaza were simply bombed to committed the horrendous crimes in Gaza [email protected] death. and to inspire public opinion to demand Executive Director an end to the siege in solidarity with the Dr Aly Misha’l (Islamic Hospital All around the world civil societies are courageous Palestinian resistance. Jordan): marking the first anniversary of this cowardly [email protected] and genocidal crime. FIMA is dedicating this Dr Ashraf, the Director of FIMA Relief has special issue of our e-newsletter to this Gaza outstandingly anchored our medical and Vice President Remembrance Day to express out outrage at humanitarian relief from Capetown which is Dr Saleh Al Ansari (IMAKSA): this neo-holocaust and our solidarity with the well elucidated in his summary document. Dr [email protected] Palestinian people and their legitimate cause Aly Mishal, the Executive Director of FIMA,

Secretary against Zionist occupation of their lands. has undertaken the herculean task of rallying Dr Tanveer Zubairi (PIMA): public opinion against the breaches of [email protected] In collaboration with Viva Palestina Malaysia medical ethics and the torture of Palestinian (VPM) and Palestine Centre of Excellence prisoners by the Israeli Medical Association. Treasurer (PACE), we funded four fully equipped Dr. Munir Gharibeh (IMA JORDAN): ambulances to join the , Viva Many others from amongst the FIMA [email protected] Palestina charity convoy which departed fraternity have contributed towards this Dr Ashraf Jedaar (IMASA): London on December 5, 2009. Consisting noble cause and I hope these efforts will [email protected] of volunteers from 25 different countries, continue to be intensified until the day the it has since grown to 300 vehicles laden are given their true freedom Prof Dr Muhammad El Amin (SIMA): with medical and other aid desperately and due justice and are able to return to [email protected] needed in the besieged . At the their lands and rebuild their future – Viva Prof Dr Abd Rashid Abd Rehman time of writing the convoy is camped at Palestina! (IMAM): the Rafah borders hoping to gain entry into [email protected] Gaza and break the Zionist blockade on the Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin impoverished enclave. Immediate Past President (2005-2009)

FIMA RELIEF E-BULLETIN SPECIAL EDITION CORRESPONDENCE Editor in Chief: Dr Musa Nordin • Address: c/o Damansara Specialist Hospital Suite G-12A, Ground Floor, 119 Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya 47400, Selangor, West Malaysia. E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +603-77293173 Tel: +603-77222692 Gaza Crisis: FIMA Response

The world witnessed one of its worst humanitarian crisis • IMA North America sent 2 medical teams (22/01/09 and on December 27, 2008 when Israel bombed the helpless 25/01/09) with medical equipment, medications and and innocent population of Gaza, Palestine. Israel mounted consumables. They identified the following critical needs: an unrelenting air, land and sea attack over the following º Medical equipment, monitors, surgical instruments month killing over 1,400 people many of whom were outdated or deficient. women and children. They destroyed soft targets including º Rehabilitation hospital with training of local expertise homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, energy supplies, communication channels and other social structures. Israel º Trauma counseling of the traumatized population brazenly ignored the global condemnation of this invasion especially vulnerable children. and continued its merciless terror attacks violating all º Continuing education of local medical professionals humanitarian and human rights principles and statutes lacking in basic skills and disaster management due including the use of white phosphorous and depleted to their isolation. uranium bombs, destroying the fuel supply to emergency • IMA Jordan in collaboration with the Jordan Medical services including hospitals, preventing ambulance services Association sent 3 teams of over 40 doctors, many of from evacuating the injured to safety and essential care whom were surgeons. They donated medical equipment and treatment, attacking hospitals and its staff, sealing and supplies during their stay to the local health the borders and preventing all humanitarian aid from authorities reaching its intended recipients, to name • IMA Pakistan (PIMA) sent 2 surgeons in accompaniment but a few. of IMANA delegation as well as 3 others under leadership of Prof Iqbal Khan. The Federation of • When borders opened to medical professionals Islamic Medical during the latter half of the conflict, Arab Medical Associations Union(including IMA Egypt) sent 21 doctors and 40 more (FIMA) responded the following day. d Burried Alive f Little Martyrs immediately, • Arab Medical Union delivered 200 units of blood and condemning this 1,000 more units the following day. terrorist attack and appealed for The following funds were transferred to the local authorities an immediate in Gaza to assist in their crisis: ceasefire and calm. • Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) – USD 42,400 It mobilised its disaster response to • FIMA / IMA South Africa / other contributions – USD aid the innocent and helpless victims. The FIMA response is 100,000 summarised below: • IMA Pakistan – USD 17,500 • Doctors World Wide – (Hayat Foundation/IMA Turkey) FIMA has committed itself to the reconstruction and supplied 2 trucks (43 tons) of emergency relief aid rehabilitation of the health system in Gaza and is currently procured in Cairo and transported to the Rafah border engaged in the following services: (worth USD 230,000) when border crossing first opened. During the second week, DWW purchased • Prevention of blindness campaign with free cataract 12 ambulances in Cairo worth USD 400,000 for use in surgery to those affected by blindness. Gaza. A plane load of medical equipment and other • Medical education and training at all levels including supplies was delivered to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as A second team of 10 surgeons and support staff was in-service training of all health personnel isolated by the dispatched to Gaza to work in Khan Younis for the next sanctions imposed by the authorities. 2 weeks. DWW committed itself to medical education • Supporting a maternity hospital with financial assistance, and establishing specialized care facilities including a medical equipment, personnel and training. burns unit. • Assisting the health authorities in rehabilitating its • MERCY Malaysia – sent a USD 100,000 of medical primary health structures and clinics and extending its equipment, consumables and drugs (5 trucks, 50 tons) services to the entire population. and delivered to MOH Gaza upon border opening. Another $100,000 consignment procured in Cairo was The atrocities have continued unabated despite the ceasefire delivered later. A second team under the leadership of and we pray for the deliverance of Gaza and the entire Dr Mohamed Ikram was delegated to work in Gaza. Palestine from Israel. FIMA pledges its support of any • MER-C Indonesia – sent a medical team along with campaign assisting the people of Palestine and liberating medical supplies since the start of conflict. Masjidul Aqsa from the sinister and subservice actions of Israel. Allahu Akbar! • IMA Sudan and other local relief agencies delivered 4 plane loads approximately 100 tons worth $500,000 of Dr Ashraf Jedaar food, medical and emergency supplies. The sent a team Director, FIMA Relief of 11 doctors and surgeons to the region. Capetown, South Africa [email protected]  Gaza Crisis: Gross Violations Of Human Rights Findings of an independent fact-finding mission

The Physicians for Human Rights- Israel (PHR-I) and Palestinian Medical s Norweign team in Relief Society (PMRS) coordinated an Gaza who were highly independent investigation into alleged experienced in burns violations of human rights during the management. They have been to Afganistan, Gaza crisis of December 27, 2008 until Africa and Lebanon but January 18, 2009. They assembled have never seen such experts in forensic medicine and unusual & extraordinary burns cases in Gaza. pathology, burns, emergency medicine, human rights and health and public health. Their inquiry was commissioned to investigate the following allegations: The team concluded their mission with violated with numerous reports of the following findings: torture and terror on the civilian • Attacks on medical facilities and population including holding them • Denial of medical evacuation and teams. captive for days without access to attacks on medical teams • Evacuation of the wounded and dead. food, water or health services. Homes Not only did the Israeli Defence • Causes of injuries and deaths in were shelled repeatedly and their Force (IDF) prevent access of relation to types of arms used. occupants shot when trying to escape. medical teams to the wounded Even the daily 3-hour ceasefire was • Impact of the attack on the health civilians but deliberately opened violated with attacks on the civilian system. fire on ambulances and medical population emerging from their • Impact of the attack on public health personnel. The Red Crescent of homes in search of food. The statistics issues. Palestine reported 15 deaths and 21 further confirm the disproportionate • Other medically related violations. injuries of its personnel. Both these attack on the civilian population far issues constitute grave violations of beyond the discretionary percentage. The experts interviewed witnesses, humanitarian law. • Public health and environment victims, survivors, hospital doctors and • Attacks on medical facilities Israel strangled the population of other medical professionals, international All parties during an armed conflict Gaza by preventing access to food, bodies, Ministry of Health (MoH) officials are strictly prohibited from targeting water, medical equipment and and scientists, international experts hospitals, medical facilities, medical maintenance of hygiene and public including weapons experts from Human transport vehicles and medical health. Rights Watch and Amnesty International. material. There is documented The enquiry was conducted over 5 days evidence of attacks on many health All these contraventions and violations from January 29, 2009 until February 5, institutions including Al Wafa hospital, constitute war crimes according to the 2009. Khan Younis hospital and Union of 4th Geneva Convention. We, as a global Health Care Committees compound. organisation, should lead and support The 22 days of invasion and onslaught all efforts attempting to restore order, left 1417 dead of whom 926 were • Types of injuries peace, human dignity and hope of a civilians, 409 women and children, 236 The types of injuries reported free and independent existence to the fighters and 5303 injuries. An estimated (maiming and disfiguring) confirm population of Gaza and rest of Occupied 21,000 homes were destroyed and the use of unconventional weapons Palestine. approximately 50,000 displaced from (anti-personnel bombs, disc bombs) their homes. and other atypical weapons (DIME, white phosphorous and depleted For the full report, see www.fimaweb.net. Kind acknowledgement and appreciation Large numbers of places of worship uranium). These weapons have left a to the Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (mosques), educational institutions tragic effect on human lives and the and Palestinian Medical Relief Society for (including schools), medical institutions environment. summarising their report. including hospitals, clinics and • Attacks on civilians ambulances were targeted or destroyed. This principle of IHL was the most

Hay es Salam, Jabilia Al Rayes, PMRS clinic Gaza city, Ministry of Justice. White Phosphorus burn Abu Yussuf alNajjar hospital, Khan half destroyed. Yunis. Amputation by weapon.  An Ethical Conundrum At The World Medical Association (WMA)

The Nuremberg Code developed in October 1946, first set the standards by which to judge Nazi based human experimentations. The Code consisted of 10 rules for permissible medical experiments in humans. Post-Nuremberg, there continued to be violations of research ethics involving human subjects.

The World Medical Association (WMA) was founded in 1947, as a response to the egregious abuses by German and Japanese doctors in World War II, and their unethical participation in research on humans, and the torture of prisoners.

The Declaration of Helsinki which was developed by the WMA and adopted in June 1964 consisted of a set of ethical principles for the world medical community regarding human experimentation. It has undergone six revisions, the latest in October 2008, two clarifications and represents the cornerstone document of human research ethics.

In 1975, WMA established the Declaration of Tokyo with guidelines for the medical doctors concerning “torture” and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in relation to detention and imprisonment. Not only physicians are required not to condone “torture” of prisoners, but this Declaration demands of physician to document, oppose and denounce all cases of “torture” of which they become aware.

The Declaration has stood the test of time as the world policy statement in bioethical conduct and the WMA has become the de facto world authority in bioethical standards.

Membership of WMA is open to national medical societies all over the world, many of whom have signed and abided by its covenant.

Since its inception, WMA’s general assembly, in collaboration with its ethics board, undertook elections of WMA successive presidents, from among doctors with distinguished records in adopting sound ethical standards in their respective national medical associations.

The unprecedented and extremely disturbing development, which shocked many doctors from many parts of the world, was the selection of the Israeli Dr Yoram Blacher as its new president, with his shameful record of unethical conduct in areas of human rights and the torture of prisoners.

It is noteworthy that the doctors who enthusiastically led the worldwide campaign against this unethical doctor were from among British and other western professors and medical professionals.

The attached documents represents a significant account of these worldwide efforts to condemn the selection of the president of the Israeli Medical Association, Dr Yoram Blacher, and to strongly demand his dismissal, to safeguard the distinguished reputation of WMA as a bastion for the promotion of the highest possible standards of medical ethics.

Aly A Misha’l MD, FACP. Musa Mohd Nordin FRCP, FAMM.

 Doctors Demand Yoram Blachar Resign As Ethics Chief For Ignoring Israeli Torture

More than 700 doctors from 43 considered as a form of tolerance and account,” he said. countries have written a letter of of non-assistance to the victims,” it Further allegations of Israeli doctors’ protest to their governing ethical ruled. involvement in torture came in a body, the World Medical Association, report two years ago from the Public alleging that its recently appointed In an email to the Guardian promising Committee Against Torture in Israel, Israeli president has turned a blind eye a response to the charges, Blachar which gave detailed testimony from to the involvement of medical staff in called them “imaginary allegations nine Palestinian men interrogated torture, and calling for his removal. which have no grounds whatsoever”. between 2004 and 2006. Blachar’s He claimed that most who signed the critics accuse him of failing to respond Dr Yoram Blachar, leader of the Israeli appeal “did not bother to verify the to either this report or Amnesty’s Medical Association since 1995, content”. No detailed rebuttal was evidence. assumed the helm of the WMA in forthcoming, however. November. The signatories to the Sir Iain Chalmers, a senior British letter, who include senior doctors and Meyers said Blachar had in effect doctor, editor of the James Lind professors from the UK, Europe and defended the participation of Israeli Library and a co-founder of the the US, claim he has failed to answer physicians in the torture of Palestinian Cochrane Collaboration, is one of charges that some Israeli doctors prisoners in Israeli jails. In a letter to the signatories to the letter. “Previous condone or collaborate with a regime the Lancet medical journal in 1997, appeals to Yoram Blachar himself, in a that uses torture against Palestinian Blachar wrote: “The guidelines on number of places and from a number prisoners. interrogation recommend that only of people, to answer factually based ‘moderate physical pressure’ (in allegations of medical complicity As long ago as 1996, the letter says, accordance with international law, in torture have not resulted in any Amnesty International concluded and not unknown in other democratic adequate response,” he said. that doctors in Israel working with countries) be sanctioned.” the security services “formed part “The issue now is: does the WMA of a system in which detainees are “As you may know,” Meyers said, have any credibility as long as it tortured, ill-treated and humiliated “’moderate physical pressure’ – the continues to ignore people who are in ways that place prison medical same formulation employed by the complaining about its acquiescence practice in conflict with medical Bush administration in its prisons and support of Dr Blachar and the ethics”. at Guantánamo Bay and CIA ‘black Israeli Medical Association? sites’ in other countries (and now a The letter, whose lead signatory is the subject of heated debate in the US) “There have been no satisfactory paediatrician Alan Meyers from the – includes confining prisoners in stress responses from the IMA to allegations Boston University school of medicine, positions, beatings, isolation, sleep both by Israeli organisations and says Blachar’s presidency “makes a deprivation, extremes of heat and Amnesty International over the mockery of the principles on which cold, humiliation and other forms of years.” the WMA was founded in 1947, physical and psychological abuse. which was as a response to egregious Dr Derek Summerfield, of the Institute abuses by German and Japanese “Physician collaboration in such of Psychiatry at King’s College doctors” in the second world war. maltreatment is unacceptable, London, who was the co-ordinator and the defence of such physician of the letter, said: “The appointment The doctors say inaction is not an participation should disqualify of the long-standing president of the option. The WMA’s 1975 Declaration Dr Blachar from any position of IMA to lead the WMA, which is the of Tokyo said “physicians shall not leadership within the international world body overseeing medical ethics, countenance, condone or participate physician community.” which arose out of the abuses of the in the practice of torture or other second world war, just seems to make forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading Meyers, who is Jewish, has a mockery of the whole idea that procedures, and in all situations, campaigned for health and human there is an ethical framework for what including armed conflict and civil rights in Israel for a decade, but said doctors do and what they don’t do.” conflict”. Two years ago, its annual any physician in any country who was general assembly explicitly obliged involved with interrogation techniques by Sarah Boseley doctors to document cases of torture of this kind should not be practising Health Editor, Guardian UK of which they become aware. medicine. “If they did it in the US, Article courtesy of Guardian News & Media Ltd 2009 “The absence of documenting and I’d join with anyone else in seeking (This article was published on guardian.co.uk at denouncing such acts might be to have those physicians brought to 22.09 BST on Sunday, June 21, 2009) Letter Sent to World Medical Association, to Demand Expulsion of Dr Yoram Blachar from the Presidency of WMA (2008-2009) and Presently Immediate Past President in WMA Council (2009-2010)

Dear WMA Council Chair Dr Edward testimony of 9 Palestinian men tortured the International Court of Justice, a UN Hill and the Council, between 2004 and 2006, gives a Rapporteur and Physicians for Human graphic demonstration of the extent Rights Israel.(8) IMA membership of We the undersigned physicians to which Israeli doctors continue to WMA appears to have been a figleaf: from 43 countries wish to publicly form an integral and everyday part The IMA website pays lip service to protest and appeal against the recent of the running of interrogation suites medical ethics but Dr Blachar has appointment of Dr Yoram Blachar, whose output is torture.(5) The IMA have overseen a studied failure to take the longstanding President of the Israeli conceded that they were aware of this actions mandated by the Declaration of Medical Association, as President of the report, but did nothing. More recently, Tokyo. World Medical Association. We believe at a meeting on December 10 2008 in that his Presidency makes a mockery Tel Aviv, with Dr Blachar presiding only We conclude that under Dr Blachar’s of the principles on which the WMA weeks after his inauguration as WMA leadership the IMA made a decision was founded in 1947, which was as President, Physicians for Human Rights on political grounds years ago to turn a response to egregious abuses by Israel again sought to confront the IMA a blind eye to torture in Israel and the German and Japanese doctors in World about this and similar evidence in the institutionalised involvement of doctors. War Two. public domain. On an issue that goes to the heart of the moral authority of the profession, The WMA’s own Declaration of Tokyo In its 2008 annual report to the UN Dr Blachar has offered shameful ethical (1975) specifies that “physicians Committee Against Torture, the UAT leadership to doctors in Israel and shall not countenance, condone or Coalition, a coalition of 14 Israeli and worldwide. participate in the practice of torture Palestinian human rights organisations, or other forms of cruel, inhuman concluded that “since the Committee It could scarcely be more scandalous or degrading procedures, and in all last reviewed Israel, the practice of that he now assumes the Presidency situations, including armed conflict torture and ill treatment has continued of the official international body and civil conflict”. The WMA Annual unabated. The UAT Coalition wishes to overseeing medical ethics. This General Assembly of 2007 made it clear inform the Committee that in its opinion appointment will seriously damage that inaction was not an option, stating the use of torture and ill treatment by the public reputation of the WMA and that “this is the first time the WMA has Israeli authorities against Palestinians is its work, and indeed risks making it a explicitly obliged doctors to document both widespread and systematic. The laughing stock. We call upon the WMA cases of torture of which they become UAT Coalition has recorded evidence Council to oblige Dr Blachar to step aware. The absence of documenting of acts, omissions and complicity by down as a matter of priority. Since the and denouncing such acts might be agents of the State at all levels….until WMA is mandated to ensure that its considered as a form of tolerance and this culture of impunity is addressed this member associations conform to its of non-assistance to the victims”.(1) situation is unlikely to improve”.(6) codes, we also request an investigation There are still more recent calls from into the IMA record highlighted above. authoritative academic sources for the In November 2008, PCATI filed a international medical community to go contempt of court motion to the High Yours sincerely, much further in actively allying itself Court of Justice against the government with efforts to suppress mistreatment of of Israel and the General Security Service Professor Alan Meyers prisoners.(2) for their responsibility for a policy that ([email protected]) and 724 other physicians grants a-priori permits to use torture from: United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Italy, South Africa, Norway, Amnesty International concluded as in interrogations. The IMA have never Occupied Palestinian Territories, Malaysia, long ago as 1996 that Israeli doctors challenged torture as state policy in Switzerland, , Iraq, Eire, Spain, Australia, working with the security services Israel. India, New Zealand, Germany, France, Sweden, “formed part of a system in which Pakistan, , , Saudi Arabia, Greece, , Turkey, Bahrain, , Peru, Syria, detainees are tortured, ill treated and Dr Blachar went as far as to justify the Qatar, Nigeria, Czech Republic, France, Zambia, humiliated in ways that place prison use in Israel of “moderate physical Denmark, Dubai, Kuwait, Argentina. medical practice in conflict with medical pressure” (condemned as torture by ethics”.(3) Dr Blachar, already IMA the UN Committee Against Torture) References 1. World Medical Association. Doctors urged to document cases of President, took no action. Amnesty’s in the fourth paragraph of a letter torture. Press Release 8 Oct 2007. 2. Miles S, Freedman A. Medical ethics and torture: revising the briefing to the UN Committee against published in the international medical Declaration of Tokyo. Lancet 2009: 373:344-48. Torture in September 2008 “focuses journal The Lancet in 1997(7) This surely 3. Amnesty International. “Under constant medical supervision”, torture, ill-treatment and the health professions in Israel and on Amnesty International’s (continuing) unprecedented action by the president the Occupied Territories. London. Amnesty International. MDE concerns about Israel’s failure to of a national medical association has 15/37/96. 1996. 4. Amnesty International. Israel/OPT. Briefing to the Committee implement the Convention against not been disowned, and renders him Against Torture. MDE 15/040/2008. 2008. 5. Public Committee Against Torture in Israel. Ticking Bombs- Torture in the Occupied Palestinian unfit for the office of WMA President. testimonies of torture victims in Israel. PCATI 2007. Territories and the intensification In the age of evidence-based medicine 6. Defence for Children International. Palestine Section. UAT Report: Torture and ill-treatment in Israel and the OPT. 2008. of measures amounting to cruel, his rejection of the documentary record 7. Blachar Y. The truth about Israeli medical ethics. Lancet 1997;350: inhuman and degrading treatment and has been unprofessional and frequently 1247. (4) 8. Blachar Y. Response from the Israeli Medical Association. Rapid punishment”. contemptuous, as when on the British Responses, bmj.com, 15 December 2004 Medical Journal website he labelled A well publicised report in 2007 by the as “the lies and filth he spews” and Article courtesy of : Public Committee Against Torture in “anti-semitic” a BMJ publication which http://frontierpsychiatrist.co.uk/on-behalf-of-derek- Israel (PCATI), based on the detailed cited Amnesty, Johns Hopkins University, summerfield-open-letter-of-protest/

 Gaza Crisis: Gross Violations of Human Rights Findings of an independent fact-finding mission

The Truth About Israeli Medical Ethics as submitted by Dr Yoram Blachar and published by The Lancet (Vol 350, October 25, 1997)

SIR, Derek Summerfield (Editor)’s Reply

Once again, the Israel Medical Association (IMA) is under virulent and unwarranted 1 attack. Derek Summerfield (July 5, p 63) presents an inaccurate picture in which SIR, incorrect “facts” and unfounded allegations are portrayed as truth. It is surely unprecedented for a national 2,3 The IMA has frequently and unequivocally denounced the use of torture. Our medical association to use the pages of members are instructed not to take part in any action that can be regarded as a medical journal to condone actions torture. We require strict adherence to the Tokyo Declaration and the tenets of that satisfy international definitions of the UN Convention against torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. torture. The Israeli Medical Association Moreover, we repeatedly urge anyone with knowledge of physicians who (IMA) ignores the reports I referenced participate in torture to inform us so that we can take action. Unfortunately, we in my paper. Are the conclusions of hear general accusations but no specific events or names. The one exception is the the most authoritative human rights case cited by Summerfield regarding Ruchoma Marton’s allegations against several organisations in the world, based on Israeli psychologists, which were later established to be unfounded. Such misleading the sober accumulation of material over reporting undermines Summerfield’s credibility. many years, to be simply dismissed by rhetoric about slander and incorrect We are also involved in ethical matters unrelated to torture. When we learn of “facts”? How does the IMA reconcile people prohibited, for security reasons, from entering Israel for medical treatment, their own government’s claim that all we demand that such entry be permitted. It is ironic that 2 years ago, after our detainees are “under constant medical efforts in this regard, two terrorists entered Israel in the guise of patients and blew supervision” with what Amnesty themselves up at Beit Lydd, killing and injuring soldiers and civilians. Furthermore, International concludes is the integral when a law was enacted recently to allow prisoners to be stripped and searched, role of doctors in units where torture we insisted on a clause stipulating that no physician would actively take part. We is routine? The IMA calls for names feel that our mandate covers physicians and medical care, an area in which we can but this issue is not about isolated impose our standpoint and decisions. malpractice, rather the way doctors are drawn in to what Human Rights The State of Israel upholds the fundamental rights of all people, irrespective of Watch calls the “bureaucratisation” of crimes alleged or committed. At the same time, Israel recognises its responsibility torture in Israel – the process by which it to protect both Jews and Arabs from harm by terrorists. The guidelines on becomes embedded in official practice. interrogation recommend that only “moderate physical pressure” (in accordance These reports contain sample cases with with international law, and not unknown in other democratic countries) be named Palestinian victims. Why does sanctioned. Even this is restricted to cases defined in terms of a “ticking bomb”, the IMA admit no proactive role here, where the degree of anticipated danger poses a grave threat to citizens. no duty to provide ethical leadership? Furthermore, the European Human Rights Court has previously ruled with regard to Moreover, it is untrue that the interrogations in Northern Ireland that ill treatment must reach a certain severe level allegations by Dr Marton, chairperson of to be deemed torture. Physicians for Human Rights Israel, were groundless. Her calls for an inquiry into Israel prides itself on its democratic legal system, which is subject to public scrutiny. the abuse of psychiatry in Israeli prisons As a result, any allegation of maltreatment is thoroughly investigated by Israeli remain unanswered by the IMA. authorities and, where requested, by the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, it should be noted that individuals have personal and political motives I appeal to the IMA to reconsider. for fabricating claims of maltreatment, including the desire to have a confession They could start by implementing ruled inadmissible at trial, to present oneself as a martyr, or to spread anti-Israel the recommendations made to them propaganda. last year by Amnesty: to establish a commission to investigate the We repeat our demand that Summerfield, or any other individual who maligns situation of doctors working in places the IMA in connection with human rights, provide proof, names, or both of Israeli of detention, the level of clinical physicians involved in torture. At the same time, we demand the immediate independence and opportunities for cessation of the spreading of false and unfounded allegations, amounting to ethical advice available to physicians, harassment and slander of the medical community in Israel. and the means by which they can communicate professional concern Yoram Blachar about the treatment of prisoners. Israel Medical Association, 2 Twin Towers, 35 Jabotinsky St, POB 3566 Ramat-Gan 52136, Israel Derek Summerfield Reference: Medical Foundation for Care of Victims of 1. Summerfield D. Medical ethics: the Israeli Medical Association.Lancet 1997; 350: 63-64. Torture, London NW5 3EG, UK 2. Blachar Y. Amnesty report on torture in Israel. Lancet 1996; 348: 1738. 3. Dolev E, Blachar Y. Israeli Medical Association and torture. Association tries to ensure that no doctors participate in acts of torture. BMJ 1996; 313: 630. Article courtesy of The Lancet.

 NEWS NEWS September 18, 2009.

Muhammad Moussa, a 15-year old active Palestinian youth, received RM32,800 from Palestine Centre of Excellence th (PACE) rough COMPLETE (now Viva Palestina Malaysia) for the cost of operation on his two limbs that were lost during the war in Lebanon in 2006. His limbs were bombed with a cluster bomb by the Israelis army while he and his father rode a motorcycle. He can now walk with prosthesis (artificial legs).

In his speech, Muhammad thanked all Malaysians for their generosity. His ambition is to become an ustadz teaching quranic lesson. Please make dua for his success.

Israel Admits Gaza Remembrance Day Stealing Palestinian Organs December 21, 2009

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM – For the first time, Israel has tacitly admitted stealing Palestinian body parts for transplant in Jewish patients, vindicating accusations leveled by Palestinians and rights groups over the past years. “We started to harvest corneas…whatever was done was highly informal. No permission was asked from the family,” pathologist Yehuda December 27, 2009, Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) organised Hiss, the former head of the Abu Akbar a Gaza Remembrance Day at Mid Valley Shopping Mall. A Center, also known as the L. Greenberg one minute silence was observed at 12pm to remember and pray Institute for Forensic Medicine, told Nancy for all those that were killed, injured or maimed. Many came in Sheppard-Hughes, now a professor of Palestinian colours, scarves, headbands, face painted with the Anthropology at the University of California- Palestinian flag and T-shirts portraying a boycott on Israel and end Berkeley, in a documentary aired by the Israeli the occupation. The protest is one of many planned around the Channel Two. world by civil societies.

The documentary revealed that in the 1990s, New Yorkers held a massive demonstration in Times Square to forensic specialists harvested corneas, heart commemorate the anniversary of the deadly Israeli assault against valves and bones from the bodies of Israeli the Palestinians of Gaza. A soldiers, Israeli citizens, Palestinians and reminder that one-year after foreign workers, often without permission the bombing and invasion, from relatives. the people of Gaza are still living under siege, Earlier this year, relatives of several Palestinians denied food, medicine and killed by the Israeli army during Al-Aqsa the right to travel by an uprising told IOL that their beloved ones were inhumane Israeli blockade. returned to them shortly after they were killed without their vital organs and with a huge cut from the stomach to the neck stitched up.

By Khalid Amayreh IOL Correspondent. http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/ Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1260258201494&pag ename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout  Viva Palestina Convoy

d Adelaide, Australia, 31 December 2009. ()

g Bern, Switzerland, 27 December (Gaza Freedom March)

d Convoy map to Gaza

d Convoy ambulance in Syria d Shipping to Araish f The convoy

  LETTERS

December 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

Assalamualaikum. It’s a great pleasure for me to send you this message from Gaza, to thank you for your grateful help to the Palestinian people. I’m Loai Nabil Barqouni, 5th year medical student at al Quds University – Al Azhar Branch in Gaza – Palestine, I’m very interested in your organization and it’s activities to enhance and develop medical education and to strengthen the brotherhood between medical students in the Muslim world. I’d like to inform you that despite the killings and war on Gaza in December 2008, Palestinian medical students have the deep belief in Allah and the enthusiasm to compete with other medical student in the world. I have participated the Trauma Conference 09, held in Imperial College – London, 6 – 8 November, 2009. I submitted an abstract about the burns caused by white phosphorus during the 2008 war. I was shortlisted, and invited to submit a poster presentation about “White Phosphorus Burn, Case report”. I was the only Muslim medical student in the competition, besides 7 other European medical students. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go there to present my work as the border was closed and the siege prevented my travel. So I designed a poster, recorded a video tape of my case report and emailed it to the conference organisers. I was awarded the second international prize for my abstract. The siege and closed borders did not prevent me from participating and exposing the criminal acts of the Israeli soldiers. Finally, I would like to join your great federation FIMA, and to encourage my colleagues to become members of your association, to build a generation of Muslim medical student committed to the universal values of Islam.I would like to send salam from here the holy land of Palestine. Inshallah, one day we will pray together in Masjid Al Aqsa. Thanking you in advance. I’ve attached my abstract for your perusal.

Regards Loai N. Barqouni 5th year Medical Student Palestine - Gaza

EDITOR’S RESPONSE June 25, 2009

December 13, 2009 Dato’ Dr. Khoo Kah Lin President Salams, Malaysian Medical Association Congratulations on your achievements. May Allah bless your courageous efforts. Dear Dato’ Dr. Khoo,

As the immediate past president of FIMA, we welcome your presence Greetings and peace. in our fraternity of Islamic Medical Associations (IMAs) and Muslim health professionals. We have a large investment in programs dedicated May I kindly draw your attention to this recent to medical students. Kindly log onto www.fimaweb.net for more article in the Guardian, UK, appended below. information on FIMA student activities. It is related to the implicit involvement of the current president of the World Medical I have cc-ed your letter to Dr Amin, President of the Scientific Medical Association (WMA) in the torture of Palestinian Association of Palestine, for his immediate attention and action. prisoners.

On another note, FIMA has been actively involved with the medical I hope the MMA as an affiliate of the World rehabilitation of Palestine since the First Intifada. Most recently, in Medical Association would investigate this collaboration with Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) and PACE (Palestine matter and if true as alleged, to join the Centre of Excellence), we helped fund 4 ambulances which are currently international chorus of protest from medical on the > 250 truck Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza, due to arrive in Gaza associations and physicians around the world on the 1st anniversary of the invasion of Gaza. Viva Palestina Malaysia for his immediate removal from this high office. is part of the global Long Live Palestine network, VP United Kingdom & VP USA. I sincerely hope this matter would receive your immediate attention. I thank you in anticipation You can facebook VP Malaysia at http://completemalaysia.com/wp/ vpm-facebook-page/ and you can follow the convoy online at http:// Yours sincerely, readingpsc.org.uk/vp3/. Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin They are almost at Greece, “The Superfast ferry will enter Igoumenitsa Life Member MMA harbour at 5.30am,” and they seem to be pretty excited as there is talk Past-President, Islamic Medical Association that “60 more vehicles may join us at Istanbul, Turkish support added to Malaysia (IMAM) what we expect from the USA.” President, Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin 10 10